A citizens’ panel is a deliberative democracy format in which decisions are made by a cross-section of society — a so-called “mini-public.” Because a citizens’ assembly is grounded in the best available science, harnesses collective intelligence, and seeks consensus, it is an empowering decision-making method for citizens and communities. Its aim is to enrich policymaking and increase trust within society.

Since the 1970s, the citizens’ assembly format — now widespread across the world — has proven that when people are given decision-making power and enough time, provided with balanced and evidence-based information, and guided through a well-designed process, they are capable of making decisions in the public interest on complex and controversial issues. Citizens’ assemblies are particularly well-suited for addressing long-term challenges, breaking political deadlocks, and resolving issues that polarise society.

A citizens’ assembly differs from conventional participation and decision-making processes in three key ways:

1. Participants are selected through a representative random selection process (a “democratic lottery”), ensuring that the discussion table brings together a group reflecting the diversity of the population.

2. Deliberations are preceded by a learning phase: scientists and experts present the best available knowledge on the topic, while stakeholders provide practical insights into problems and possible solutions.

3. A citizens’ assembly must have influence on official decisions: the recipient(s) of the assembly’s results and the way the results will be implemented must be known before it begins.

Among democracy innovators, citizens’ assemblies are regarded as one of the most impactful formats, increasingly spreading at the local, national, EU, and even global levels.

The Citizens’ Panel on Good Life is the sixth citizens’ assembly to be held in Estonia, this time on the theme “What is needed for a good life?” This major event has been initiated to broaden public discussion, highlighting topics that matter to people and enabling them to be explored in a climate of trust.

The aim of the Good Life Citizens’ Assembly is to amplify the impact of various initiatives that foster debate on alternative economic models and help guide policymaking. This year, several initiatives are taking place to shape our shared future. Through the Hakkab looma! visioning gatherings, people can share their dreams for the future until mid-August; in October, the Degrowth Estonia and Biotoopia conferences will discuss “Life in Post-Growth Estonia”; and in November, the Rohetiiger movement will unveil its balanced economy concept for Estonia.

Demokraatlikus ühiskonnas on vajalik arendada avatud valitsemist, kuna see seostub riigi konkurentsivõimega (Arenguseire Keskus, 2023), riigi kestliku toimimisega (Taasiseseisvunud Eesti kolm aastakümmet inimarengu luubi all, 2022), eriolukordades hakkamasaamise ning elanike turva- ja kuuluvustunde tagamisega (Eesti inimarengu aruanne 2023), ühiskondliku usalduse määraga (OECD raport “Trust in Government”, 2022). Eesti avatud valitsemise partnerluse tegevuskavades on ühe läbiva tegevusena uuenduslike kaasamise meetodite katsetamine koostöös vabakonnaga.

Avatud valitsemise põhimõtete juurutamisele aitavad kaasa elanikkonna uuenduslikud kaasamise viisid. OECD andmetel (2024) on valitsuse tegevuses kaasa rääkimise võimalused ja nende tunnetamine oluline usaldust mõjutav tegur. Alates 2016. aastast on Ida-Euroopas toimunud üle 40 kohaliku tasandi ja üleriigilise rahvakogu, neist kolm rahvakogu Eestis (DemocracyNext, 2024). Rahvakogud on tulevikkuvaatav, digiriigi ja esindusdemokraatia kohanemisvõimet soodustav uuenduslik lähenemine elanike kaasamisele.

Hea elu rahvakogu püüab Eestis lahendada järgmisi probleeme: 

1. liiga vähe avalikku arutelu selle üle, millest majandussüsteem lähtuma peab (inimeste ja looduse heaolu), ning majanduslikku ebavõrdsust ei nähta majanduse probleemina; 
2. puudub seos sotsiaalmajanduslike teemade ning kliima- ja keskkonnapoliitika elluviimise vahel – ometi väidavad maailma teadlased Earth4All egiidi all, et ilma nendeta ei saa toimuda siire kõigi heaolu väärtustavale kestlikule majandusele; 
3. eestimaalaste madal ja aina kahanev usaldus valitsuse, parlamendi ja poliitiliste erakondade suhtes (OECD usaldus-uuring 2024). OECD rõhutab, et ulatuslikke ühiskondlikke muutuseid ja üleminekuid saab teha siis, kui on piisav usaldusbaas elanikelt.  

Vabakondlikult algatatud rahvakoguga aitame neid ühiskondlikke probleeme leevendada. Kindlasti ei lahenda üks rahvakogu kõiki probleeme. Pigem aitaks sellele kaasa alaline riiklik rahvakogu parlamendi või valitsuse kõrval. 

Participants are selected by random sampling to ensure the group is representative of the population — a “mini-Estonia.” Every Estonian resident aged 16 or over has an equal chance of being chosen.

For this citizens’ assembly, anyone can register their interest in taking part. In addition, thousands of people across Estonia will receive personal invitations through a random selection process. Using a special computer algorithm, 30 people will be chosen from among all those who have registered their interest, ensuring that as a group they reflect Estonia’s population as accurately as possible, taking into account factors such as age group, gender, place of residence, education level, and economic well-being. The final 30 participants will receive confirmation letters in early September.

Participation is voluntary, but we expect participants to attend all five meeting days. Active involvement in discussions, gaining new knowledge, and making proposals are important. As a participant, you do not need to be an expert or hold a specific worldview — you are welcome just as you are, bringing your own life experience and values.

The citizens’ assembly will take place over five days across three weekends in September and October (exact dates to be confirmed). It is important to attend in person on at least one day of each weekend and to take part in the final vote on the joint proposals. The organising team will help find solutions to ensure that the selected participants can attend the meetings taking place in different locations across Estonia.

The list of participants will not be made public during the citizens’ assembly. Each participant has the right to decide for themselves how they wish to share their involvement with the public. During the assembly, participants can indicate if they do not wish to appear in photos or video footage.

All materials related to the citizens’ assembly — including schedules, background materials, and outcomes — will be made publicly available on the website and shared via social media channels. You can also subscribe to the citizens’ assembly newsletter to stay informed about key moments throughout the process.

The citizens’ assembly format, used around the world, has proven that when people are given decision-making power and enough time, provided with balanced and evidence-based information, and guided through a well-designed process, they are capable of making decisions in the public interest on even the most complex and controversial issues. Such recommendations often take future trends into account more than official decisions do.

The citizens’ assembly process does not replace the role of experts, interest groups, political parties, or other societal actors in policymaking. Instead, it creates an opportunity to form a position that reflects the population as a whole on a specific issue — and this is how the results should be understood.

A participant in a citizens’ assembly is not expected to become a city official or an expert; their role is to remain a citizen and, in that role, to make proposals.

The citizens’ assembly provides a supportive and safe space for participants to reflect on the information they have received and to work together to develop collective proposals.

In a mini-public, what matters most is its capacity to work as a group — its “collective intelligence” — rather than the individual intelligence of its members.

As a result of the process, the citizens’ assembly — representing the diversity of Estonia — will formulate shared positions and proposals on the topics discussed. These proposals will serve as the basis for public initiatives that anyone can support with their signature — together, we can bring the outcomes to the Riigikogu. All results will be made public.